The next morning Bernardi called upon Don Pedro and received the promised amount of five thousand dollars, assuring him that he should leave the city that afternoon. As soon as he left the house, the Don asked Lesparre to keep a watch upon Bernardi to make sure of his leaving according to promise. When Lesparre returned about three o'clock, and reported that Bernardi was then actually on his way to Cairo, accompanied by a young lady, the Don was overjoyed, and he expressed himself greatly relieved thereby. "Now we can take more interest in our _fête champêtre_, and we will make it the most delightful affair ever known in this country," he said, exultantly. "When it is over, my dear Lesparre, we will make a tour of the fashionable watering-places, and enjoy life to the full." CHAPTER IX. _Important Information from the Peruvian Government.--Arrival in Gloster of the Peruvian Minister and Consul.--In Consultation.--"Robbing Peter to pay Paul."--Mr. Pinkerton's card is presented.--Juan Sanchez, I arrest you, and you are my Prisoner.--Mr. Pinkerton not "For Sale."--A Dramatic Scene.--The Bubble burst._ Several days now sped by with no fresh developments, and Don Pedro was almost constantly engaged in his preparations for the _fête champêtre_. As the day approached, society was stirred to its very center, and nothing was spoken of save this grand event of the season. But four days remained before the _fête_, when I was delighted by receiving a letter from the Secretary of State for Peru, giving full particulars of the forgeries and frauds committed by Don Juan Sanchez in that country, and enclosing a fine portrait of the man. One glance at the picture was sufficient to assure me of the identity of Don Pedro P. L. de Morito with Don Juan Sanchez, and I now felt ready to act. The letter informed me that a Peruvian official would be dispatched to Gloster at once, to obtain the arrest of Don Pedro, though there were a great many difficulties in the way, owing to the lack of an extradition treaty. Every effort would be made, however, to bring him to justice, and the Peruvian Minister at Washington would be instructed to confer with me. I informed Senator Muirhead and Judge Key of this news, and they were both much encouraged at the prospect, especially as we learned that a Peruvian man-of-war had arrived in New York from Aspinwall, it being doubtless intended that this vessel should take the prisoner to Peru, in case he could be frightened into surrendering himself.